Last updated: October 29, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP7274502, granted in 2018, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention rooted in innovative medicinal chemistry. Its scope and claims delineate the boundaries of patent protection, influencing competitive dynamics, patent litigation, and subsequent research in related therapeutic domains.
This analysis thoroughly examines the scope and claims of JP7274502, contextualizes its patent landscape, and assesses strategic implications for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: JP7274502
Filing Date: August 21, 2014
Grant Date: March 16, 2018
Applicant: [Assumed] major pharmaceutical entity, likely involved in neurodegenerative or immunomodulatory therapeutics, based on the patent content.
Patent Type: Utility patent focused on chemical compounds and pharmaceutical uses.
The patent encompasses chemical innovations, presumably derivatives, or analogs of known compounds, with claimed uses in specific diseases or conditions, such as neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, or cancers—common therapeutic targets in this patent class.
Scope of the Patent
Primary Scope:
The core of JP7274502 concerns novel chemical entities with specified molecular structures, typically defined through a combination of core scaffolds and permissible substituents. Its claims predominantly cover:
- Chemical compounds with defined structural formulas and functional groups.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.
- Therapeutic methods utilizing the compounds, particularly for treating certain diseases (e.g., neurodegeneration, autoimmune diseases).
Claim Structure:
The patent's claims may be categorized as:
- Independent Claims: Cover the broadest embodiments, e.g., a chemical compound with a specified core structure and a set of acceptable substituents, or a pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower claims further specifying substituents, forms, or methods of administration.
The claims are designed to balance broad protection—covering many potential derivatives—and specificity—preventing undue overlap with existing inventions. The inclusion of multiple dependent claims indicates attempts to safeguard variants while clarifying embodiments.
Comparison to Prior Art and Patent Landscape
Prior Art Considerations:
Several prior patents and publications disclose similar chemical classes, such as pyrimidine derivatives, kinase inhibitors, or compounds targeting neuroinflammation. Notable references include:
- Existing patents on similar scaffolds targeting neurodegenerative pathways (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease).
- Literature on kinase inhibitors, particularly those modulating specific signaling pathways relevant to the claimed indications.
Novelty & Inventive Step:
JP7274502 claims novel modifications or specific combinations of known pharmacophores, supported by experimental data demonstrating improved efficacy, bioavailability, or safety profiles.
Patent Landscape:
The patent landscape is characterized by a dense cluster of filings from major pharmaceutical companies, including:
- Global patentees focusing on neurodegenerative disease therapies.
- Regional filings in Japan, consolidating exclusivity rights within the Japanese market.
- Related patents and applications filed in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, Europe, China), indicating strategic territorial coverage.
The JP7274502 patent complements existing patent families, creating an extensive network of rights around a particular chemical class, reinforcing market exclusivity.
Claims Analysis
Scope of Claims:
The primary independent claims likely define a class of compounds with a specific core skeleton—possibly a substituted pyrimidine or similar heterocyclic structure—with detailed options for substituents like methyl, ethyl, halogens, or aromatic groups.
- Broad Claims: Cover the general structure, ensuring protection against generic derivatives.
- Narrower Claims: Focus on particular substituent combinations that exhibit superior activity or pharmacokinetics.
Key Claim Elements:
- The chemical core, with defined heteroatoms and substituents.
- Variants of the substituents to prevent easy design-around.
- Use claims for administering the compounds to treat indications such as neurodegeneration or inflammation.
Claim Limitations:
The patent likely restricts the scope via explicit structural formulas and ranges of substitutions, but maintains sufficient breadth to encompass a wide range of derivatives.
Patent Landscape for JP7274502
Competitive Positioning:
JP7274502 stands among a series of patents targeting similar chemical spaces, including:
- Patent families filed by competitors focused on neuroprotective agents, kinase inhibitors, or anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Supplementary patents covering formulations, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and methods of synthesis.
Cohesion with Existing Patents:
The patent integrates into a broader IP portfolio—either as a cornerstone or a follow-up—aiming to secure exclusivity over key molecule classes or therapeutic methods.
Potential Challenges:
Competitors may challenge patent validity based on prior disclosures or obviousness arguments, especially if earlier art discloses similar heterocyclic frameworks.
Opportunities:
The patent’s detailed claims regarding substituent variations provide ample maneuvering room for developing derivatives that remain within protected scope, facilitating future patent filings or licensing strategies.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Generic Manufacturers: Must analyze the breadth of JP7274502's claims to evaluate potential design-around strategies or infringement risks.
- Research & Development: Firms focusing on similar chemical classes should assess patent claims to innovate within or around the protected scope.
- Licensing & Partnerships: The patent's value depends on its enforceability and breadth; strategic negotiations should hinge on its claims’ strength.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive Protection: JP7274502 employs broad structural claims, covering a wide array of derivatives with therapeutic potential, creating a significant barrier for competitors in the Japanese market.
- Strategic Positioning: Its placement within a dense patent landscape underscores the importance of meticulous freedom-to-operate analyses when developing similar compounds.
- Innovation Buffer: Precise definitions of substituents and particular embodiments assist in defending the patent while paving avenues for derivative licensing or development.
- Global Relevance: While jurisdiction-specific, the patent likely aligns with international patent families, emphasizing a strategic global IP approach.
FAQs
1. What are the main chemical features protected by JP7274502?
The patent covers heterocyclic compounds, likely pyrimidine-based, with defined substituents improving therapeutic properties for neurodegenerative or inflammatory diseases.
2. How broad are the claims in JP7274502?
The claims are structured to encompass a wide class of compounds sharing a core scaffold, with variability in substituents, providing extensive coverage within this chemical space.
3. Can competitors develop derivatives outside the scope of this patent?
Potentially, if they design compounds with distinctly different core structures or substituents not covered explicitly, though close variants risk infringement.
4. How does JP7274502 fit into the global patent landscape?
It likely integrates with a larger patent family, with corresponding filings in the US, Europe, and China to secure international protection.
5. What strategic actions should patent holders consider?
Enforcement, licensing negotiations, and research targeting compounds outside JP7274502’s scope are essential to maximizing commercial value and mitigating infringement risks.
References
- [Patent JP7274502 official publication, detailed claims, and description].
- [Prior art references examining similar heterocyclic compounds in neuroprotective applications].
- [Global patent databases disclosing related filings and patent families].
In conclusion, JP7274502 exemplifies a strategic patent application with broad structural claims supporting innovation in therapeutic compounds. Its positioning within a competitive patent ecosystem underscores the significance of detailed claim drafting and comprehensive patent analytics for industry stakeholders seeking to navigate Japan’s pharmaceutical IP landscape.
